Bipartisan progress on clean energy: approval of major transmission line project

Expect many more megawatts hours of clean energy soon to
move through the Midwest.

Wisconsin regulators voted yesterday to initially approve the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line, a 120-mile long project designed to improve grid reliability and support the greater integration of renewable energy throughout the region.

In a bi-partisan decision, all three members of the Public
Service Commission (Wisconsin’s version of the Public Utilities Commission)
unanimously indicated support to approve construction of Cardinal-Hickory
Creek.

Fresh Energy has been a vocal proponent of the project, intervening with partners to file expert public testimony in support of the line and working with clean energy partners across the state to build momentum and public knowledge of the many benefits of the project. Cardinal-Hickory Creek will allow more clean energy to flow through the region and will support the development of additional wind and solar projects—to the tune of thousands of megawatts of clean, homegrown energy.

Cardinal-Hickory Creek is the 17th new transmission project in Wisconsin approved in the last decade. Fresh Energy also intervened on the last major transmission line project, Badger Coulee, and is optimistic about the future of clean energy infrastructure built at scale in the Midwest. Minnesota’s largest utilities have increasingly recognized the importance of modern transmission lines to meet ever-increasing renewable energy targets.

“Our region needs clean energy at scale and a modern
transmission system capable of carrying that energy to our homes and
businesses. Cardinal-Hickory Creek is a critical component in addressing the
climate crisis. The Public Service Commission made the right choice in
signaling approval of its construction.”

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About Fresh Energy

Fresh Energy is an independent nonprofit organization working to speed the transition to a clean energy economy. Our team of attorneys, analysts, economists, and educators advances forward-looking policies that benefit our communities and our future. Using data, science, and market-based solutions Fresh Energy helps Minnesota make progress toward a vision we can all share: an economy we thrive in and energy that ensures our well-being.